MAE 107 Sky and Space; Chun-Gon Kim

Omar Arturo Huerta Kann Student ID: 20116195 Homework 1 Due: 29th, Sep.

1) DC-3
Introduction Certainly the designing of the Douglas DC-3 can be considered as one of the greatest engineering designs in the last years. Indeed searching through the web I found very interesting that in most of the sites the DC-3 is considered to have done more than any other plane that has ever been built. Some reasons why the DC3 became so popular had been linked to fact that the aircraft was actually faster and more comfortable than previous aircrafts manufactured. The name of DC-3 refers to Douglas Company company that designed the aircraft- and the number 3 refers to the model. Through the essay we will discuss about the transformation of the DC-3, its background and its impact. Origins of the DC-3 Probably the first thing to analyze within the story of the DC-3 is to understand the process on how the airplane was able to become a turning point in aircraft designing. The design of the DC-3 is linked to Donald Douglas. The first version of the aircraft flew for its first time on June 1933. The previous popular aircraft of the time was the Boeing 247. Actually the DC-1 was larger than the Boeing 247 and included the same aviation features. An interesting fact regarding to the DC-1 is that the aircraft included two Wright Cyclone motors where each of these delivered 710 hp. Wright Cyclone was the name given to a particular kind of air-cooled radial piston engines developed by Curtiss-Wright. Once Trans World Airlines former second largest American commercial airline at the time- bought the DC-1 it was just a matter of time to adjust certain features from the DC-1. The versatility of the plane came to be the key for the success of the aircraft. American Airlines (AA) and other different companies wanted the new DC-2. Indeed the DC-2 was a radical achievement regarding to transport design. The overwhelming Douglas DC-3 As known, the DC-3 was the first airline to actually acquire an economical profit without actually getting some support from the government. Moreover, the DC-3 was engineered on 1935 as a result of improving the design of the DC-2. Some new features included on the DC-3 were sleeping berths implemented in order that passenger could be able to stretch out and sleep- and in-flight kitchen. It is also important to remark that around this time transcontinental flights were not possible due to the amount of refueling stops aircrafts needed. Nevertheless, the DC-3 was able to accomplish transcontinental flights across America with just one refueling stop. In

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addition to, the DC-3 appeared in two versions: the first version consisted on a 14 berth sleeper version and a day time version that basically was wider and longer. War Need: transformation of the DC-3 onto the C-47 Dakota During World War II different civilian DC-3 planes were converted into military version like the C-47, C-53, RD4 and Dakota. As a matter of fact, 10.000 aircrafts were produced including unlicensed copies in Japan (Japanese name for the DC-3 Showa L2D). Regarding to the transformation of the DC-3 into a C-47 there were certain characteristics that were changed. Some minor modifications consisted on the designing of a large double cargo door with a passenger entrance and including folding bench seating. Indeed, there was a minor version known as C-39 where engineers assembled a DC-2 fuselage to a DC-3 tail including powerful engines. Furthermore, the role of the DC-3 during war was mainly to provide support as a staff and cargo transporter. Due to its versatility the aircraft was able to perform also as a communication and medical unit. Analyzing closely the behavior and interaction of the plane through the outcome of events, it is remarkable that it was present in major airborne operations such as Sicily and Normandy operations. Once war ended most of the C-47 aircraft were sold to different airlines around the world. The aircraft once more undergo a civilian transformation to satisfy commercial and transportation business. Destiny of the DC-3 The success of the DC-3 came through a series of adaptations to previous models. Therefore, it was logical that most likely a new version of the DC-4 could be assembled. Certainly, United Airlines approached Douglas in order to manufacture a new version. The project was very promising within the field hence soon it became a cooperative project amount major airlines (UAL, EAL, TWA, PAA and AA)1. Talking broadly about the DC-4, the aircraft was meant to be a different (innovative) plane that will include the successful characteristics of the DC-3. The features of the DC-4 included four engines that could carry 42 passengers and 30 berths. Not much time passed for the engineers to realize that there was a juicy market in providing aircrafts to the commercial airlines. Nevertheless, the requirements of the airlines where different and therefore the aircrafts needed to change within the carriers. As a matter of fact, Douglas developed a strategic plan that consisted on letting the DC-3 serve for medium range routes, the DC-4 serve for transcontinental routes and to add a new version known as DC-5 that could serve short routes.

There are three new carriers not mentioned before through the essay. PAA stands for PanAmerican World Airways. Airline that concentrated on the Philippine Islands routes. UAL: United Airlines. EAL: Eastern Air Lines which was a major airline from the time. 2

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Impact of the DC-3 Looking closely on the impact of the DC3 and economically speaking, its development actually contributed within all areas of the market. In other words, the DC3 somehow was always capable of finding allocating- itself in a variety of different sectors. Going through commercial means on the beginning, to be transformed onto a strategic war element, returning to a commercial use and finally when time passed adapting itself to a specific business area. Some of the jobs that the DC3 performed are: scientific research, ecological tourism, agricultural duties and mining exploration. As time passed many aircrafts were assembled trying to replace the DC-3 (almost around three decades after its beginning), but those attempts failed due to the reliability and economy of the DC-3. Finally there was at the time a very interesting say that would state that: The only replacement for a DC-3 is another DC-3.

2) Superfast-wood bomber in World War II. Mosquito

Origin of the Mosquito The designing of the Mosquito took place around the early 40s. Indeed, its production started with a contract of only 50 bombers. Due to the war been held, the Mosquito basic construction idea was taken from previous existing models. Its construction was held under shelters and under war pressure circumstances. Nevertheless, engineers where able to put on the air the first Mosquito prototype (4060) after ten months of intense working on November 1940. Furthermore, the first time that the Mosquito was actually used in the war was a year after its first prototype had flown. Its mission was to make a simple reconnaissance flight within French territory. The Mosquito began to obtain more confidence and power within combat strategies. Though, It was not until 1942 that the first Mosquito mission was accomplished. The first successful bombing attack occurred in Norway, where the aircrafts carried out an accurately bombing attack-hit and run- on an underground headquarters. As a matter of fact, the aircraft actually was used in most Europe and on Russian territory. The complete name for the Mosquito bomber was actually De Havilland Mosquito. At its time it was consider to be the best night fighter due to be an excellent bomber and quite precise in terms of long range bomb interception. Time did not really pass for the Mosquito to be known as the wooden wonder. Actually the Mosquito became a fundamental key in combat strategies. The aircraft was mostly constructed by wood, plywood later on- and balsa. As discussed through the essay, the Mosquito resulted on a necessity of war and therefore its design was not innovative. De Havilland Company had already designed before wooden aircrafts. As expected, the Mosquito aircraft had deterministic roles during combat. Some of the characteristics that best described this bomber were its actual velocity and agility. Due to its velocity the Mosquito was not assembled with gunners. Nonetheless, the story of the Mosquito seemed to posses different turning points through its period of service. At some point the production Mosquito was actually 3

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stopped due to a lack of material during war time. The Mosquito was able to come back into air through the implementation of plywood in its construction. The Mosquito became one of the most important and potent fighter. Its manufacture consisted on a versatile design with twin engines. As the Mosquito became more important in combat its production highly increased. As a matter of time, approximately 7000 aircrafts were built. The role of the wooden wonder in combat The Mosquito excelled in terms of being capable of performing a dual role during the war. On one hand, it was able to perform during daylight low-level and high-level attack. While on the other hand, at night it will become a lethal and fearsome bomber. It also was able to perform long photo-reconnaissance, provide high speed transport and to appraise mine layers. Later, the Mosquito fighter developed as a bomber supporting unit. Its main task consisted on defending the main heavy bomber from the enemy. The Mosquito fighter was eventually was used specifically as a night fighter and was used in most cases exclusevely for defense. The Mosquito was used alongside another aircraft known as the Bristol Beaufighter. The Bristol Beaufighter was also a multi-engined fighter which was able to carry two people onboard. In comparison to the Mosquito, this aircraft was used as a day interceptor. Regarding to the Mosquitos characteristics and features, these were some of the most acknowledgeable ones of the aircraft: Four 20 mm cannon in the front fuselage Machine guns in the nose (G-45 machine guns) Included an arrowhead radar Two Merlin 21 engines 1,280 hp and 1480 hp

Referring to the power that the Mosquito was provided with, it is quite important to compare that the DC-3 at that time was provided with engines that could provide around 700 hp. Evidently necessities and purposes where different for both aircrafts but still their speed comparison was critical. As time passed and war developed, the Mosquito needed to fulfill different roles and therefore its transformation was inevitable and the Mosquito F.B. VI eventually was designed. One of the changes that undergo the aircraft was the fact that its wings were strengthened for external loads. This was meant due to the necessity of carrying more machine guns and even two 500 lb. bombs under the structure of the wings. Impact of the Mosquito During World War II there where missions that only the Mosquito was able to perform, such as precision bombardment of European cities. There was actually a two-seat Mosquito which was able to get very low altitudes and very high velocities. Most likely the Mosquito opened the path to later on fighters. Its design showed that more specific aircrafts were possible to build.

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In conclusion, probably it would be correctly to state that at least over 27 different versions of the Mosquito went into service. The amount of weight that the plane was able to carry over extremely distances was admirable. The materials from which the plane was constructed denoted an innovative light-weighted design. In other words the Mosquito was fundamental weapon during war due to its capability of attacking specific targets without causing great amount of civilian casualties. Nowadays fighter should be grateful with the approached and experience that the Mosquito bomber inherited to them.

References: Aviation History 2006. Mosquito Aircraft. Information consulted on the 21st September 2011. From: http://www.aviation-history.com/dehavilland/mosquito.html DC-3 Historical Society 2011. DC-3/Dakota. . Information consulted on the 21st September 2011. From: http://www.dc3history.org/ Flight Level 350 2004. Douglas DC-3. Information consulted on the 21st September 2011. From: http://www.flightlevel350.com/Douglas_DC-3_aircraft_facts.html 2 World War 2 2007. De Havilland Mosquito. Information consulted on the 21st September 2011. From: http://www.2worldwar2.com/mosquito.htm